July 2009 Blog Archive
Friday, July 31, 2009
Scanning for the Future
A SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) scan shows a 3-dimensional view of all heart arteries. A new study suggests that using the SPECT scan with a calcium scan provides the best information for physicians to diagnose future health risks in patients with coronary disease. Adding a calcium scan may provide vital information for treatment options.
"The combination of myocardial SPECT and coronary artery calcium scoring could help identify those who are at highest risk for subsequent fatal cardiac events in a long-term outcome," says study leader Dr. Haker to AJC News.
Patients with a higher calcium score (CAC) were at the highest risk for future health issues, such as having bypass surgery. Use of both the calcium score and the SPECT scan helped physician correctly diagnose a patient's risk of such health issues. The more information a doctor is given, the easier it is for them to tailor treatment to the patient according to their risk level.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
MRI Helps Cancer Research
A brain MRI may have a new use in determining the effectiveness of certain brain cancer drugs. The drug in question is Avastin, a FDA approved drug for that is used to shrink brain tumors by cutting off blood supply to the tumor. Patients taking drug were given a brain MRI to examine their tumor.
"By using MRI to measure the amount of water motion within the tumor, the researchers were able to predict with 70 percent accuracy which tumors would progress within six months and which would not" reports AJC News.
Those patients with greater water motion have the highest rate of success in using Avastin. Knowing if a patient will respond to such drug allows doctors to personalize therapy to each patient. Tumors that are found to be progressing will be given harsher treatment, while those responding to Avastin would receive a weaker treatment. Patients can use this brain MRI to save themselves from the intense side effects related to unneeded harsher treatment.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Military CT Scans
CT Scans are used for a variety of purposes to diagnose medical conditions. However, there is another use for these scans which the military has been using. Military officers perform "virtual autopsies" on deceased soldiers in Iraq for research purposes.
"Such records of the dead are unprecedented and have provided a plethora of data. Improvements such as increasing the length of intravenous tubing to accommodate the more robust American troops, or creating upper body armor to protect soldiers in commonly-targeted areas of the body during battle - have been made using the information garnered from such virtual autopsies" reports DotMed News.
The CT Scans are used by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) since 2004. Although these scans are not used to help cure illness, since the soldiers have already passed, they do help pinpoint areas of the body in an x-ray that normal autopsies may have missed. These machines are being used in a variety of new ways as technology makes it easier for such scans to occur outside of a medical office.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
MRI Advances
There is now hope that those with non-pacemaker-dependent implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) may be able to use an MRI scan. Up until now, patients with cardioverter defibrillators were warned against MRI scans due to the high level of magnetism. Now, a new study shows that these ICDs may be able to withstand an MRI without disruption of the heart rhythm or rate.
"The number of implanted pacemakers and ICDs, as well as the number of devices for cardiac resynchronization therapy, are going up every year. People are getting older, and the older they get, the greater the likelihood they're going to need an MRI exam" states the study leader to Heartwire.
The study still warns ICD users that extra precaution must be taken to monitor the heart during the exam. MRI exams should only be used on patients were the benefits outweigh the potential risks. Technology is growing at a fast pace to keep up with the growing demand for such tests. The baby-boomer generation is getting older, and with that comes a large demand for efficient tests that are compatible with heart monitoring implants.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Uncommon Condition Diagnosed by Scan
A boy in Mumbia was recently diagnosed with a very rare disease after a CT Scan of his lung found that half of his stomach had migrated into his lung cavity. The condition, called hiatus hernia, is rare and is very dangerous if left untreated.
"We took him to several doctors when he started having persistent colds after six months of age. All these years, he never had any serious problem. About 10 days ago he had severe chest pain that refused to subside despite medication" stated his parents to DNA India.
After being misdiagnosed with pneumonia, his symptoms did not stop and his parents took him for a lung scan. Doctors were able to operate and pull down half of his stomach. They were also able to narrow the cavity between the stomach and lungs so the problem could never occur again.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Radioactive Drug Shortage
The radioactive isotope technetium-99m is used in over 400,000 medical procedures a day, according to the New York Times. This isotope is in high demand, but two of the largest producers of the isotope are shutting down for repairs. This has caused many in the medical community to become worried about a shortage. Substitutes are available, but are generally less effective and more expensive.
The isotope is used to test for coronary blockages, breast cancer, kidney functions, and other diagnostic tests. Many times "Tech-99m" is injected into the patient to help locate areas near a cancerous tumor. These tests are often used in conjunction with other diagnostic scanning tests as well.
Doctors have already cut back on their use of the Tech-99m isotope, fearing that there will be a shortage in the near future. However, there is research being conducted on viable alternatives for physicians for emergencies such as this. The reactors are being repaired in Canada and are hopeful to reopen at the end of this year.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Mammogram Reminders
Mammograms are an important tool for woman to screen themselves for breast cancer. All women over age 40 are suggested to use a mammogram as a diagnostic scan to detect masses in their breasts. But many women forget to schedule these screening tests, or wait too long between tests. The American Cancer Society recently fronted the movement to send out reminders to a study group of women to see if it would effectively increase the number of women utilizing the scan.
"Regular screening is critical to insuring the greatest likelihood of detecting cancer early. The value of reminder systems is well established, and the study shows that they can be very effective on a mass scale. Ideally, the health care reforms that we can look forward to will include reminder systems for cancer screening for all adults" stated the American Cancer Society website.
As a result of this reminder system, including mail and phone calls, over 80% of women in the study had scheduled their yearly mammogram. This is in comparison to the 63% pre-reminder system. In order to best treat cancer, early detection is crucial. The ACS hopes that this study will spark other healthcare provides to send out reminder letters to their patients on a variety of other cancer screenings as well.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
CT Scans as Art
Most doctors use CT scans as a medical diagnosis tool, however; one doctor in China has created works of art from these scans. Kai-hung Fung has found a way to combine his career as a diagnostic radiologist with his passion for digital art. One of these scans even won a creative contest by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
His winning artwork depicted a 3-dimensional scan of the human nose and paranasal sinuses, but with a rainbow coloring technique. Patrons at first did not realize that the graphic art they were judging was in fact a real CT Scan.
This type of creativity shows the out-of-the-box thinking that many doctors do have. Although this is a more creative approach to new technology, other doctors are always testing current techniques in order to improve them.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Rapper Diagnosed with Cancer
Member of the popular musical group Beastie Boys, Adam Yauch, was recently diagnosed with cancer in his pituitary gland. As a precautionary measure, Yauch had his body scanned to detect if the cancer had spread to other parts of his body.
"But the good news is that they did scans of my whole body and it's only localized in this one area, and it's not in a place that affects my voice" says Yauch on a video announcement released yesterday.
Although recent tours have had to be cancelled due to his surgery, the group is hopeful that Yauch will make a full recovery and be able to sing again. The body scan helped pinpoint the cancer so doctors were able to localize their treatment. A full body scan can help other patients as well detect cancer in early stages. Early detection is best for developing treatment options and can significantly raise your chances of recovery.
Monday, July 20, 2009
MRI Shows Brain Adjustments
A 10 year old girl in Germany was born missing the right side of her brain, however; doctors were baffled by her ability to still see perfectly out of both eyes. This right side of the brain controls the vision in the left eye. In most cases, patients whose right brain is removed no longer have clear vision in their left eyes. The girl underwent an MRI brain scan so doctors could understand this anomaly.
The MRI showed that the retinal nerve in the brain which normally provides vision information to the right eye simply altered itself to also accommodate the left eye as well. Doctors were amazed at the brain's ability to compensate for the missing portion of the brain while she was in the womb. Besides a slight weakness in her left side, the girl leads a perfectly normal life.
Doctors were quoted in BBC news as saying, "Despite lacking one hemisphere, the girl has normal psychological function and is perfectly capable of living a normal and fulfilling life. She is witty, charming and intelligent."
Friday, July 17, 2009
New Scan for the Fidgety
CT angiography scans are very helpful to diagnose coronary artery disease and lung abnormalities. During a portion of the scan, patients must hold their breath and lay still for proper results. Young children, who are known to move constantly, have difficulty performing this task. The other complication occurs in patients with a rapid heartbeat. A new scan in France has been introduced to help solve these problems.
Medical Physics web explains the new scan. "Using a dual-source MDCT scanner, the thorax can be scanned at a temporal resolution of 83 ms. The high temporal resolution stops motion artifacts even in fast hearts, while pitch values as high as 3.2 shorten the scan and reduce the dose."
This high-pitch chest scan allows for a quicker scan and a more efficient picture. The MDCT Scan allows for optimal tests to be performed on groups that have proved difficult to scan in previous years. Persons can even be scanned under anesthesia since breathing does not have to stop. As the test grows in popularity, more scanning centers may incorporate the technology into their practice.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Appendicitis and CT Scans
CT Scans can be very helpful in diagnosing problems throughout the body. One new way CT scans may be of use if for identifying appendix problems and eliminating the need for surgery.
"The CT is an excellent tool in helping to diagnose appendicitis and, on the other hand, it can potentially eliminate unnecessary surgeries," says Dr. Robert Nathan, a radiologist who aided in the study.
In the study, CT scans ruled out surgery for half of the patients involved. However, doctors warn that CT scans are not to be used by everyone. There is no need the extra radiation or expenses in those whose diagnosis is clearly defined. The scans are helpful for doctors who may be unsure if the symptoms are truly appendicitis, or a variety of other diseases with similar symptoms.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Brain Scan to Detect Alzheimer's Disease
A new study is being conducted to determine if Alzheimer's disease can be diagnosed early in those with mild cognitive impairment. To determine changes in the brain, researchers are using a brain scan called PET (Positron emission tomography).
CBC News reports, "It is critical to identify affected individuals while they are still relatively cognitively healthy so that future therapies can preserve healthy memory and thinking function. And, in order to develop those new therapies, we need to identify 'at risk' individuals now in order to steer them to clinical trials."
Researchers are looking for biological markers in the brain that may detect early stages of Alzheimer's. Once identified, the goal is to determine if giving a person a drug regiment will increase the efficiency of treatment prior to the appearance of more severe symptoms. If it works, the cases of severe dementia caused by Alzheimer's would dramatically decrease and scientists may be closer to finding a cure.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Bike For A Healthy Heart
In order to prevent heart disease, individuals are told to watch their diet and exercise regularly as standards for preventative care. One way to help increase your daily exercise regiment is to bike to work. Not only are you saving gas, but you might also be saving years of your life lost if you were to have a heart attack!
"The researchers found that 16.7 percent of the participants walked or cycled to work (active commuting), and those men and women appeared to be more fit. Those who were active commuters were less likely to be overweight or obese and had healthier triglyceride, blood pressure and insulin levels" reports Forbes.com.
If you live close enough to bike or walk, maybe try doing so once or twice a week to start. A healthy heart and body will help prevent heart disease, increase lung capacity, and help alleviate high blood pressure.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Radiation in CT Test Harmful?
There are conflicting studies being done to show if the radiation from coronary calcium scans actually increases your risk for cancer. A study by US News shows that there is no standard for the amount of radiation used by all physicians, making it difficult for a conclusive answer to be drawn.
"There has been great interest recently in computed tomography, owing to the fact that the number of CAT scans has grown tremendously in the United States. The National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurement estimates that 70 million are done per year." reports US News.
With the growing number of tests being conducted each year, researchers are becoming more aware of risks for radiation. These tests can be conducted on a variety of machines, and there is no set standard for proper radiation levels. A coronary artery scan helps determine plaque buildup on your arteries, and is important for those considered to be an intermediate risk for heart disease. Physicians should continue to help patients understand their risks and treatment options, but should aware that over-screening may actually hurt the patient's health in the long run.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Five Tests for Male Health
Heart disease is the number one killer for men, followed by cancer, diabetes, and respiratory conditions. In order to keep men healthy and alive longer, certain tests can help determine what lifestyle changes might need to be made. The Philadelphia inquirer helped outline five key tests.
1. The first is a CT angiography test for heart health. This test helps determine your coronary artery calcium score and shows if you have plaque buildup in your arteries.
2. A bone density scan is needed to help asses the risk of osteoporosis.
3. A VO2 Max test is an endurance test that measures your maximum oxygen consumption as a test of cardiovascular capacity. This test is not covered by most insurance, but can help determine heart and body health.
4. A colonoscopy is important for any man over 50 in order to detect colon cancer. Maintaining your colon health is important, and this test is covered by most insurance providers.
5. Lastly, a nutritional evaluation is important to asses how your diet may be affecting your health and what changes need to be made.
These five tests help men become aware of their current health status. Detecting health issues early is very important, especially as men grow older. Men are encouraged to utilize all these tests to help live healthier and longer lives.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Apple a Day Keeps Heart Disease Away
French researches have found a link between the antioxidant chemicals in fruit juices and lowered risk of atherosclerosis. The hamsters in the test were given high fat and cholesterol diets to promote the buildup of fatty plaque deposits on arteries and atherosclerosis. Hamsters which were also given a fruit juice diet were found to have a lowered rate of atherosclerosis in the study.
According to Pak Waton, a Pakistan news source, "the findings suggest that the amount of phenols contained in a food have a direct effect on its antioxidant properties. Other antioxidant compounds in the fruits, such as vitamin C and carotenoids, could also contribute to their effects."
Changing your diet can definitely help those who may be at risk for a heart attack or stroke. Drinking fruit juice is an easy way to boost the antioxidants in your body and maintain the health of your heart and body.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
What your CT Scan May Miss
A study conducted in Iowa showed that in 60% of cases, new abdominal aortic dilations were not reported by physicians. Medpage Today reported that radiologists were shown to infrequently report aortic abnormalities to clinical teams. These new aortic dilations were later recorded after a follow up period of three years or more.
But don't worry! None of the patients in the study were fatally harmed. Researches stated "However, it is somewhat reassuring that we found no evidence of patient harm as a result of the delays that were identified."
The study helps shed light on inconsistencies in the field of radiology. Iowa physicians hope that their own self analysis will help others take more care in reporting even the slightest dilation in patients.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
MRA Scan Saves Man's Sanity
A man living in Bethesda, Maryland, was recently cured of an ongoing noise
ringing in his head after an MRA (magnetic resonance angiogram) scan showed
a dissection in his left carotid artery. The Washington Post reports that
doctors for six months misdiagnosed the man as having tinnitus, a condition
where you hear a ringing or pulsing sound in your head. He was told the
condition would clear in time, but was distraught when the continued ring in
his head did not cease.
After six months of constant ringing, the man was referred to a doctor who
performed a MRA Scan on his brain. The scan showed the large artery
bringing blood to the brain was torn, causing the man to be of high risk for
stroke.
Luckily, the MRA Scan helped located the problem in the blood vessels and a
cerebral angioplasty was performed to repair the damage. Without the scan,
the doctor would not have been able to locate the problem and help this man
save his sanity and his life.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Lung Cancer Misdiagnosed as Asthma
In an article by the Press Association, a 17 year old girl was misdiagnosed with asthma after having difficulty breathing and a persistent cough. When symptoms did not disappear, her father sent her for a lung scan. The lung scan showed a large cancerous tumor in her left lung that occupied the majority of her lung cavity.
After rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and removal of her lung, Miss Hicks is now cancer free. A CT Scan of her chest found the tumor and ultimately saved her life. Early detection of lung cancer is vital for treatment. Although this type of misdiagnosis is rare, patients should be aware of their own bodies and take every precaution to safeguard their personal health.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
FDA Approves New Drug
A new drug has just been approved by the FDA to treat atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disease that affects approximately 2.5 million people nationwide. This new drug, Multaq, helps maintain and restore normal heart rhythm to patients.
According to the New York Times, "the drug will give doctors the first new medicine in years to treat people with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. The F.D.A had previously rejected Multaq for more severe heart problems, citing an increased risk of death."
The box will carry a warning label to stop those patients who suffer from serious heart conditions from using the drug as a remedy. But for the million of people who suffer from atrial fibrillation, new advancements in science and technology is welcomed and may help save lives.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Colon Cancer Rates Rising
Colorectal cancer rates have risen in a younger demographic than ever before. There has been a 17% increase in colon cancer cases in adults aged 50 or younger in the past decade. This increase comes as a shock, since colon cancer numbers as a whole have decreased.
According to the LA Times, "most people under 50 are not screened for colorectal cancers -- only those with certain risk factors, such as family history, chronic inflammatory bowel disease or a predisposing genetic condition. Lack of routine screening gives benign polyps time to turn cancerous and early cancers time to turn invasive."
Although the majority of cases of colon cancer still occur in the population older than 50, this new study raises questions to the lifestyles of Americans. The increase in colorectal cancer has been attributed to factors such as changes in diet and decrease in physical activity. The younger generation must be motivated to live a healthier life and to have routine health scans to prevent such rates from rising any further.
